US7643834B2 — System for providing alert-based services to mobi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 224 words

Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computing device to implement a method, the computing device being capable of interfacing with a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, the method comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving location data about the particular mobile station; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 224 words

Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computing device to implement a method, the computing device being capable of interfacing with a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, the method comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving location data about the particular mobile station; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining the expected earliest future time includes: estimating a minimum travel time between a last known location of the particular mobile station and a target location associated with the at least one alert condition.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 85 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 2 , wherein estimating a minimum travel time between the last known location of the particular mobile station and the target location includes: determining a distance between the last known location of the particular mobile station and the target location; determining a speed of the particular mobile station; and computing the quotient of the distance and the speed to obtain an estimated minimum travel time between the last known location of the particular mobile station and the target location.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 3 , wherein the speed is an instantaneous speed.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 3 , wherein the speed is an average speed within an interval of time.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 3 , wherein the speed is the greater of an instantaneous speed and an average speed within an interval of time.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 66 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 2 , wherein estimating a minimum travel time between the last known location of the particular mobile station and the target location includes: determining the shortest path from the last known location of the particular mobile station to the target location via a set of existing roads; and determining the least amount of time required to travel the shortest path.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 43 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , the method further including: outputting a second data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station dating back no later than the current time.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 46 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising: outputting a second data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station dating back no later than a predetermined time in the past.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising: outputting a second data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station no earlier than a predetermined time in the future.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 35 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , the method further comprising: receiving location data about the particular mobile station; wherein the steps of determining and outputting are executed after executing the step of receiving.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises: repeatedly executing the steps of receiving, determining and outputting.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 58 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station includes determining an expected earliest future time at which any of a plurality of alert conditions is capable of being met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 47 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining an expected earliest future time includes: estimating a minimum travel time between a last known location of the particular mobile station and the closest amongst a plurality of target locations associated with a plurality of alert conditions.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 95 words

Computer-readable media as defined in claim 1 , wherein determining the expected earliest future time includes: for the alert condition for which the expected earliest future time was minimum, finding a new expected earliest future time; and for all other alert conditions, if the earliest expected future time for that alert condition is before the new expected earliest future time, computing a second new expected earliest future time and setting the new expected earliest future time equal to the least of the new expected earliest future time and the second new expected earliest future time.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 203 words

A method for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving location data about the particular mobile station; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 203 words

A method for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving location data about the particular mobile station; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; and outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 217 words

A system for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, comprising: means for receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; means for receiving location data about the particular mobile station; means for determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station; and means for outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; means for receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; means for determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and means for sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 217 words

A system for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, comprising: means for receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; means for receiving location data about the particular mobile station; means for determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station; and means for outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; means for receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; means for determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and means for sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 248 words

A computer readable storage medium containing a program element for execution by a computing device to implement a method in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, the program element including: program code means for receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; program code means for receiving location data about the particular mobile station; program code means for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; and program code means for outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; program code means for receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; program code means for determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and program code means for sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 248 words

A computer readable storage medium containing a program element for execution by a computing device to implement a method in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, the program element including: program code means for receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; program code means for receiving location data about the particular mobile station; program code means for determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; and program code means for outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; program code means for receiving a plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, wherein at least one portion of the plurality of updated location data is received in advance of the expected earliest future time; program code means for determining, based on the plurality of updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and program code means for sending a trigger to an alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 192 words

A data processing device for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: an input capable of receiving updated location data about the mobile stations and capable of receiving an indication of at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; and a processing unit connected to the input, said processing unit being capable of: determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and generating and sending a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 192 words

A data processing device for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: an input capable of receiving updated location data about the mobile stations and capable of receiving an indication of at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; and a processing unit connected to the input, said processing unit being capable of: determining an expected earliest future time at which at least one alert condition is capable of being met by a particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and generating and sending a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 65 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within a predetermined maximum distance from a target location at a predetermined future time.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 65 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within a predetermined maximum distance from a target location during a predetermined time range.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 56 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station having entered a predetermined target geographic area.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 56 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station having exited a predetermined target geographic area.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 61 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within a predetermined target geographic area at a predetermined time.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 61 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located outside a predetermined target geographic area at a predetermined time.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 61 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within a predetermined target geographic area for a predetermined duration.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 26 , wherein the predetermined duration is defined as a predetermined number of consecutive times updated location data is received at the input.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 26 , wherein the predetermined duration is defined as a predetermined length of time.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 73 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within one of a plurality of increasingly peripheral target geographic areas relative to a central target location for a corresponding predetermined duration.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system as defined in claim 29 , wherein the predetermined duration corresponding to a peripheral target geographic area is directly related to the degree to which that peripheral target geographic area is peripheral relative to the central target location.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 45 words

A system as defined in claim 30 , wherein the predetermined duration corresponding to a peripheral target geographic area is defined as a predetermined number of consecutive times the updated location data is indicative of the mobile station being in that peripheral target geographic area.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as defined in claim 30 , wherein the predetermined duration corresponding to a peripheral target geographic area is defined as a predetermined length of time.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 57 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being headed towards a particular direction or location.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 58 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being headed away from a particular direction or location.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 57 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being headed towards an area congested with traffic.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 57 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located in an area with traffic congestion.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 55 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located on a congested road.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 60 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being headed towards a congested portion of a pre-defined travel route.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 40 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein firing of an alert associated with at least one alert-based service is triggered only if the particular mobile station is a member of a selected group of mobile stations.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 37 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 39 , wherein the selected group of mobile stations includes a group of mobile stations associated with users sharing a predefined set of at least one common demographic characteristic.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 29 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 39 , wherein the selected group of mobile stations includes a group of mobile stations subscribed to a common alert-based service.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 31 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 39 , wherein the selected group of mobile stations includes a group of mobile stations associated with users having a common behavioural characteristic.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 45 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein firing of an alert associated with at least one alert-based service is conditional upon an alert associated with the at least one alert-based service not having been fired during a predetermined length of time.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 38 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with at least one of the alert-based services is conditional upon the current time falling within a predetermined range.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 56 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station having a speed outside a predetermined range.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 176 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , further comprising a primary memory and a secondary memory, the processing unit further being capable of: maintaining a set of data structures in the secondary memory, each set of data structures being associated with a time interval, wherein each data structure in a particular set of data structures contains information relevant to a respective subset of alert conditions that require a current time to be in the time interval associated with that set of data structures; if the primary memory does not contain the set of data structures associated with the time interval containing the current time, overwriting the content of the primary memory with the set of data structures associated with the time interval containing the current time; wherein the step of determining is effected on the basis of the alert conditions limited to those alert conditions belonging to the subset of alert conditions for which relevant information is contained in the set of data structures associated with the time interval containing the current time.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 72 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 46 , wherein each alert condition is considered as having been met by a particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station having entered a corresponding alert region, wherein each data structure in each set of data structures includes data indicative of the closest alert region to different locations in the network.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 49 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 47 , wherein each data structure in each set of data structures is created by: dividing the network into nodes; computing for each node the nearest alert region; and merging together into cells, those nodes having the same nearest alert region.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 32 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 48 , the processing unit being further capable of smoothening out boundaries of the cells resulting from the merge of two or more nodes.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 29 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 49 , wherein computing for each node the nearest alert region includes computing a set of Voronoi regions for the nodes.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 70 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 50 , wherein the processing unit is further capable of responding to the appearance of a new alert region by: a) finding the set of nodes for which the new alert region is closer than the nearest alert region previously associated with the node in question; and b) creating at least one polygon enclosing only the set of nodes found in a).

Claim 57

Independent Claim 165 words

A method for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving updated location data about the mobile stations; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 165 words

A method for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving updated location data about the mobile stations; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 59

Independent Claim 177 words

A system for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: means for receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; means for receiving updated location data about the mobile stations; means for determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; means for outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; means for determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and means for generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 60

Independent Claim 177 words

A system for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: means for receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; means for receiving updated location data about the mobile stations; means for determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; means for outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; means for determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and means for generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 180 words

Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computing device to implement a method in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, the method comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving updated location data about the mobile stations; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 180 words

Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computing device to implement a method in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, the method comprising: receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving updated location data about the mobile stations; determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, on the basis of the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services, if any, at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and generating a trigger to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the mobile station.

Claim 63

Independent Claim 154 words

A system for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: a receiving engine capable of receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station and capable of receiving location data about the particular mobile station; a determining engine capable of determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; an outputting engine capable of outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; and an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if the location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services.

Claim 64

Independent Claim 154 words

A system for providing alert-based communication services for which corresponding alert conditions to be met by mobile stations are defined, comprising: a receiving engine capable of receiving at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station and capable of receiving location data about the particular mobile station; a determining engine capable of determining an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; an outputting engine capable of outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; and an alert engine capable of firing alerts associated with the alert-based communication services if the location data regarding the mobile stations is indicative of the mobile stations meeting the alert conditions corresponding to the alert-based communication services.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 55 words

A system as defined in claim 55 , further comprising: a requirements engine capable of specifying time conditions to be satisfied by the receipt of the updated location data regarding the mobile stations; and a scheduler capable of ensuring that the receipt of the updated location data regarding the mobile stations satisfies the time conditions.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system as defined in claim 56 , wherein the alert engine is adapted to verify whether a particular alert condition is met by the particular mobile station upon receipt of the updated location data regarding the particular mobile station.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 59 words

A system as defined in claim 57 , wherein the alert engine is adapted to verify whether a particular alert condition is met by the particular mobile station upon receipt of the updated location data and only upon satisfaction of the time condition to be satisfied by the receipt of the updated location data regarding the particular mobile station.

Claim 68

Independent Claim 198 words

A method for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, comprising: receiving from an alert-based application at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving location data about the particular mobile station; determining based on the location data about the particular mobile station an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; receiving the updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, based on the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and sending a trigger to the alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 69

Independent Claim 198 words

A method for use in a communications network adapted to provide alert-based services defined for a plurality of mobile stations and a variety of alert conditions, comprising: receiving from an alert-based application at least one alert condition of an alert-based service for a particular mobile station; receiving location data about the particular mobile station; determining based on the location data about the particular mobile station an expected earliest future time at which the at least one alert condition is capable of being met by the particular mobile station; outputting a data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; receiving the updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; determining, based on the updated location data about the particular mobile station, for which alert-based services at least one corresponding alert condition is met by the particular mobile station; and sending a trigger to the alert-based application to fire an alert associated with each alert-based service for which at least one corresponding alert condition has been met by the particular mobile station.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 59 , further comprising determining a new expected earliest future time based on the updated location data about the particular mobile station.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 59 , further comprising: determining a target location as a function of the alert condition; and determining the expected earliest future time as an estimated minimum time required for the mobile station to travel to the target location.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method of claim 59 , further comprising: submitting a request for service to a PDE indicative of the requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time; and receiving from the PDE the updated location data about the particular mobile station in advance of the expected earliest future time.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 79 words

The method of claim 59 , further comprising: determining an earliest acceptable update time; outputting a second data element indicative of a requirement to schedule a request to obtain updated location data about the particular mobile station no earlier than the earliest acceptable update time; receiving the updated location data after the earliest acceptable update time and in advance of the expected earliest future time; and determining a new expected earliest future time based on the updated location data.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 91 words

The method of claim 59 , wherein determining the expected earliest future time includes estimating a minimum travel time between a last known location of the particular mobile station and a target location associated with the at least one alert condition, and wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by the particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within a predetermined distance from the target location.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 102 words

A data processing device as defined in claim 19 , wherein the processing unit is further capable of determining the expected earliest future time by estimating a minimum travel time between a last known location of the particular mobile station and a target location associated with the at least one alert condition, and wherein the alert condition corresponding to at least one alert-based service is considered as having been met by the particular mobile station if the updated location data about the particular mobile station is indicative of the particular mobile station being located within a predetermined distance from the target location.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2013-01-04	2013-07-06	2014-01-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2017-01-04	2017-07-06	2018-01-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2021-01-04	2021-07-06	2022-01-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System for providing alert-based services to mobile stations in a wireless communications network

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